Obama finally gets his stroll in Central Park
President Obama, daughter Sasha and her friends walk through Central Park in New York on Saturday. (Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP)
New Yorkers were in for a surprise Saturday when they spotted President Obama out for a stroll in Central Park.
In Manhattan for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Friday, Obama brought his daughters and a few of their friends along for a whirlwind weekend that included a Broadway matinee and a late-night tour of the new Whitney Museum of American Art.
Before heading back to D.C. on Saturday, the president managed to squeeze in one last activity, satiating a craving he’d had for years.
“The thing that you miss most when you’re president — extraordinary privilege, and really nice plane and all kinds of stuff — but suddenly, not only have you lost your anonymity, but your capacity to just wander around and go into a bookstore, or go to a coffee shop or walk through Central Park,” Obama said at a New York City fundraiser in 2012. “I just desperately want to take a walk through Central Park again, and just remember what that feels like.”
At the time, the Secret Service didn’t go for it. But two years later the president got his wish, strolling through the park like a regular New Yorker — motorcade and all.
Obama traffic jam at Central Park NY :/ pic.twitter.com/AKQGcriD2z
— Frank Ramirez (@FrankRamirezz)
When UR chillin in Central Park and Barack Obama is 20 feet from U ok
— tp (@toripierce0107)
.@POTUS tours Central Park pic.twitter.com/XMEwV5eJOU
— Justin Sink (@justinsink)
Long run highlights: 59th St. bridge, NOT stepping on a dead bird, losing my way in Central Park, and running into Obama’s motorcade!
— Sarah Reid (@sarah_c_reid)
Just saw Barack Obama in Central Park! #potus Thank you, Barry!
— Ben Gougeon (@BenGougeonShow)
So just bumped into #POTUS whilst taking a stroll in Central Park #Obama #NYC as you do!! pic.twitter.com/OYEv1JeQN3
— Holly Tonge (@HollyTonge1)